Sony unveils new 4K TVs and 4K video download service

Sony has unveiled two new 4K TVs and also its previously announced 4K video download service.

The service, dubbed 'Video Unlimited 4K,' will be available in the U.S. at launch, and eventually globally. At launch, there will be 70 full-length Ultra HD movies and TV shows, and by the end of the year there will be around 100.

To use the service, you will need one of Sony's 4K Ultra HD Media Players (FMP-X1). Rentals for films start at $7.99 and purchases will lighten your wallet by $29.99.

The FMP-X1 home server costs $700, comes with 2TB of storage and 10 free films. Of course, to take advantage you will need a 4K Ultra HD TV, which will set you back at least $3000 today, as well.

Not to mention you will need 4k/sec, while i've heard the larger the size for the display 4k and possibly 8k someday, the compression you can get because there are larger statistically you'll get better compression. But I still think the amount of data needed per second to drive the display is going to be problematic as well. Seeing what the cable companies did here, offering HD but at 70% of HD quality, i'll bet even if they offer 4k they will lower the quality over streaming just as the cable compies did for HD service.

Seems like Sony always comes up with a technology that tries to corner the market and fails (ie: betamax, minidisc)...here we go again. This is why Sony constantly reports financial losses and hands executives their walking papers.